Frequently Asked Questions: E-Mail in Psychiatry

The role of electronic communications in medicine lacks legal guidelines, despite the wide public acceptance of e-mail, instant messages, and videoconferencing. The Federal government is encouraging the adoption of information technology, including electronic communications, to streamline health care delivery.

While electronic communications between patient and practitioner can be advantageous, there may be pitfalls that should be planned for, and managed, to avoid violating patient privacy.

Risks to confidentiality include:

• Use of screen names
  
   
• Computer security
  
   
• Ability of an Internet Service Provider to review e-mail
  
   
• Miss-directed e-mail
  
   
• Staff access to e-mail sent files
  
   
• Accidental retransmission

Other issues include the types of patient communications that are appropriate for electronic communications. A provider must determine which of the following types of communications are can be handled by each type of electronic communication.

• Scheduling /Rescheduling appointments
  
   
• Requesting a refill of prescriptions
  
   
• Reminder for an appointment
  
   
• General information such as the appropriate time to take medication, or the name of the covering physician when the treating physician is unavailable

Other topics are generally not appropriate for e-mail including suicidal ideation or intent, homicidal ideation or intent, intent to do violence,
HIV issues or other sensitive personal data, names or identities of third parties or information related to third parties, requests to become a patient.